Media

WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Vice Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and a member of the House Intelligence and Education and Labor Committee, released the following statement after officially introducing a privileged resolution earlier today to terminate President Trump’s emergency declaration (H.J.Res. 46):

HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA–Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26), a member of the House Judiciary Committee and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, led a delegation to the Homestead Temporary Shelter for Unaccompanied Migrant Children. Homestead is the largest facility for unaccompanied children in the country run by a for-profit corporation that is also rapidly expanding. Following their visit to Homestead Temporary Shelter, the Members briefed the press on the conditions at the shelter and the standards of care provided to the children detained there.

WASHINGTON— Today, Rep. Raul Ruiz (CA-36), CHC Chairman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security Chairwoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Assistant Leader Ben Ray Lujan (NM-02), House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), and 19 other Democratic Members of Congress announced the introduction of legislation directing U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to implement a set of minimum humanitarian standards for the treatment of individuals in CBP custody. The standards included in the legislation would address the ongoing humanitarian crisis at the border, where two children – Jakelin Caal and Felipe Gomez – died in December while in CBP custody.

WASHINGTON— Today, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Members sought answers from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristjen Nielsen on the Trump Administration’s enforcement of the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), commonly referred to as the “Remain In Mexico” policy. In a letter to Secretary Nielsen, the members specifically asked for details on implementation and exercise of this policy, as well as humanitarian and legal protections for asylum seekers. While the Administration has already begun enforcing the policy, they have not notified Congress or the American people on how the protocols are being implemented, including details on how the Administration plans to ensure the safety and legal rights of migrants. The letter was led by Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and signed by Hispanic Caucus leadership members Congressman Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), and Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16), as well as 12 additional Congressional Hispanic Caucus members.

WASHINGTON— Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, released the following statement after attending the president's State of the Union address at the Capitol tonight:

WASHINGTON— Today, leaders of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Members urged the Bipartisan Bicameral Homeland Security Conferees to oppose increases in funding for ICE and CBP for the purposes of immigration detention, Trump’ deportation force and the border wall. Members specifically asked Conferees to hold ICE and CBP accountable through the appropriations process and to limit ICE and CBP’s ability to transfer or reprogram funds from other accounts in order to build a wall or border barriers, increase detention, or ramp up enforcement. The letter was led by Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and signed by 20 additional Congressional Hispanic Caucus Members.

WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, announced the Chairs of the 13 CHC Task Forces that will work to advance CHC’s bold legislative agenda, allow CHC Members to work together on policy priorities, and address issues facing Hispanic and immigrant communities.

WASHINGTON— The Congressional Hispanic Caucus, led by Chair Joaquin Castro (TX-20), will hold a media availability prior to the State of the Union address to introduce their guests and discuss how the Trump Administration’s destructive policies are impacting Hispanic American communities, immigrants, and their families.